Tag Archives: hope

Faith, Holidays

Life at a Standstill

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The Cross

Life has come to a standstill across the globe. The corona virus altered our lifestyles. The disciples experienced it, too. Their days had been full of activity as they traveled with Jesus. But life came to a standstill when all of their hopes and expectations were hammered onto the cross with the body of Jesus. Then, to make matters worse, His body was gone. Stolen, they assumed. Life certainly didn’t turn out like they anticipated.

Has your hope come to a standstill, along with your schedule?

Good news! Jesus hasn’t disappeared; He is here in the midst of upheaval. He walks the road of life with us because He rose from the dead and is now interceding at His Father’s side, on our behalf!

Jesus suffered torture and crucifixion, so that we could have forgiveness of sins and a relationship with God. He wants our “new normal”

And that’s the power of Easter, to reboot life as we know it, and turn it into a victory over death. Jesus brings life! Ask Him to open your mind to understand it.

Read Luke 24 and see for yourself. Jesus is alive!

Sally

Photo & Design Credit: David & Marilyn Reynolds

Encouragement, Faith, In the News

Fear Mongering

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As a camp counselor in my late teens, homesickness and insecurity plagued me. But the worst was fear. Here I was to protect my littles, and I was afraid of what could be lurking behind the trees. Often, their worries surfaced at night as the shadows fell and the busyness of camp activities stilled. Tucking them into bed, I’d lie on my bunk and softly sing every song I could think of, from “Jesus Loves Me” to bedtime lullabies. It soothed us all, until I would slip out of my cabin to go to the mess hall. The darkness echoed with every twig break and leaf scrunched under my feet. It was at that point I began memorizing 2 Timothy 1:7.

            “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” KJV

I’ve needed that verse in many seasons of life. When fear seizes the world, it reminds us our enemy is on the rampage. He rules this world, but not our hearts. Paul said,

            “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

In verse 16, he says, “Therefore, we do not lose heart.”

Go back and see what therefore is there for. He offers purpose and hope, and reminds us in the rest of the chapter, this trouble is temporary. When we fix our eyes on the eternal, the grip of fear is loosened from our minds and hearts. The footnotes in my NIV Bible say, “We live under pressure, perplexity, persecution, and pain. This is part of human existence. Despite all these problems, we know Christ is alive and working through us. This gives us confidence to face life’s threats and problems.”

So, how can we combat the mass hysteria we find in the media?

Philippians 4:8-9         Focus on these things, and peace will come.

Colossians 3:12-17      Pursue these things, and administer grace.

James 4:7-10               Do these things and your enemy will flee.

Have you ever been fly fishing? Does a fisherman drop a line straight down into the water? It’s a graceful sight to behold, as he casts his line far away into the depths. That’s what 1 Peter 5:7 and Psalm 55:22 remind us to do with our troubles; throw them to the Lord and let Him handle them. He will care for you. Don’t panic; pursue peace.

Sally

Faith, Reviews

Book Review: Waiting for God

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Waiting for God by Xochitl Dixon

Are you waiting for God to act on your behalf? Does it feel like He isn’t involved in the day to day details of your life? Xochitl Dixon brings a refreshing look at God’s Word and His pacing. She says God’s plan and pace are perfect, and then illustrates with personal examples, as well as through the stories of others walking the long road of the wait.

Xochitl (soh-cheel) Dixon writes through daily struggles with chronic pain, showing compassion for those who suffer. She is a regular contributor to the Our Daily Bread devotional and other publications. Through blogging, Xochitl shares her journey and yearning to nurture spiritual growth through prayer and the study and application of Scripture.

Waiting for God: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace is a gift of companionship. Often, pain sufferers live in isolation. Pain keeps us from reaching out for the help we need and makes us feel alone. But Waiting for God breaks the solitude with stories of perseverance, hope and encouragement. It equips us to “Inhale God’s Word. Exhale in prayer. And rest in God’s love.”

What kind of pain do you carry? Is it grief, physical ailments or broken relationships? Xochitl will comfort your heart by pointing to the Savior. She leads with passages of Scripture, prayer, and provoking questions. She reminds to view the wait as a collection of countless opportunities to get to know God more, trust God more, honor God more, and worship God more.

Xochitl says, “When we limit our desires to the things of this world, we’re hindered by our own limitations as created beings. Every idol we try to set up in our hearts can only fail us. No matter what happens in the wait, no matter what we’re longing for, the Lord Almighty will give us more than enough to persevere. He will be more than enough, because He is the only one who is enough, the one and only true God. The time God provides for us is precious and purposed for His glory. As we fall deeper in love with Jesus, He can give us an eternal perspective. The Holy Spirit can empower us to obey because we want His plan to prevail. Our loving Father can help us trust His perfectly timed pace.”

I want that deeper love; don’t you? Join me in the quest to thrive in the waiting seasons, as we see “the pause” through Xochitl’s eyes.

Sally

Disclaimer:  I received this book as a giveaway from the Celebrate Lit blog tour.

Encouragement, Reviews

Book Review: Sure Mercies: Hope for the Suffering

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Sure Mercies

40 stories. 40 witnesses for the work of God through Christ. Sure Mercies: Hope for the Suffering highlights figures from the pages of history as well as present-day martyrs. Why is this an important book? When you’re hurting, it is a lonely place to be. Suffering feels isolated. The testimonies of others who suffered help us to see we’re not alone. They were victorious through God’s strength and we can be, too.

Looking for Hope in Suffering?

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I started in the back with the Study Guide, and immediately liked Megan Vance’s style of writing. Her voice is easy on the ear, yet polished and carries depth of character. She describes Sure Mercies from the viewpoint of a hurting girl who connected with the cries of a hurting boy in the book of Psalms. She says David didn’t just memorize the Scriptures as a religious exercise, “he believed what they told him about Jehovah.”

And so this work continues to unfold accounts of those who believed God at His word, and stood for Him in unthinkable circumstances. William Borden gave up his family wealth to pursue missions among the Muslims of China. He died of meningitis. Corrie ten Boom came from Dutch descent and suffered in the Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. Richard Wurmbrand spent years in solitary confinement in Communist prisons. Nate Saint and his friends were murdered deep in the jungle of Ecuador by Auca Indians. Yet, in all of these lives, and more, they resolved to follow Christ knowing a life spared would not be worth a witness sacrificed.

Sure Mercies is a compilation of short stories that are tall on inspiration. They tell the back story of those who are part of “God’s chain of grace” extended across time. And they bring hope! Ever wonder if you would be resolute under trial? Megan prays, “Lord, we need not fear our own inadequacy, but only behold Your Son and His finished work. Thank You that He works as we merely yield our lives to Him.”

The Meditation Prayers lead us to remember our future is not our own. The faithful testimony of those within these pages will encourage us to remain steadfast in difficult times. And, as she remarks about Gracie Parker Rosenberger, “Watching Gracie, it’s easier to believe impossibilities can create abundant possibilities.”

Bravo to Megan Vance on a thoroughly researched, well recorded progression of God’s Message over the ages. It is a timely dose of encouragement for us all!

Sally

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Encouragement, Faith, Reviews

Book Review: The Stress Cure: Praying Your Way to Personal Peace

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Stress Cure

Do you think The Stress Cure: Praying Your Way to Personal Peace might be an unrealistic premise? Anytime you use a hook and promise a “cure,” you set the bar high. Can Shepherd deliver?

Linda Evans Shepherd “is the author of over thirty books, including How to Pray through Hard Times (which won the 2012 Selah Christian Life Award), Experiencing God’s Presence, When You Don’t Know What to Pray, and When You Need a Miracle (which won the 2013 Selah Christian Life Award).” But her qualifications are born in the school of suffering, where she struggled with the questions of life’s fairness in her eighteen-month-old daughter’s injurious car accident.

There are gems sprinkled throughout the book:

“Building a bridge to peace involves gaining a better understanding of God and the tools he’s given us, which include prayer and God’s Word.” (p. 15)

“Having (God’s) Spirit inside us doesn’t necessarily mean we know how to yield to him. And this yielding could very well be the key to experiencing less stress in our lives.” (p. 31)

Yielding to God’s Spirit could very well be the key to experiencing less stress in our lives.

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“If everything always went our way, how would we ever discover that God can flip our difficulties into good…?” (p. 38)

“The best way to develop a grateful heart is to learn how to walk in step with God.” (p. 66)

“Jesus changes our hearts from a slum to a palace fit for his presence.” (p. 94)

“If you are caught up in situations beyond your control, the solution is not figuring out how God can save you; it’s trusting that he will.” (p. 97)

“When our negative attitude comes because we don’t like where we are or what we have, we need to do a ‘will’ check: God’s will versus our will.” (p. 137)

Shepherd is a gifted storyteller, weaving details of Scripture in narrative form in order to clearly illustrate God’s truths. She’s so good at the craft, in the middle of a story, she turns the point back home to point out personal application. So much so, that you don’t see it coming!

But the biggest “ah ha” for me, came in the stories of her own battles surrounding her infant daughter’s car accident, coma and resulting disabilities. Shepherd clearly understands the need for stress relief in its many forms, and her narrative is a reminder of the power of story to connect a reader to the greater truths of God’s love, care and compassion.

This is an important book, because Shepherd brings hope. She reminds each one that “God is with you. He’s at work in your circumstances now.” (p. 77)

Is there anyone who does not experience stress in some form today? This book is a must-read for all. It provides space to stop reading in order to write out a personal application, as well as modeling steps of prayer to process the change needed. It provides fresh insight into troublesome stories in the Bible and reminds us of our calling to love and be loved.

Could Shepherd deliver on her promise to bring a stress cure? Yes, she did! The illustrations, Scripture passages and written-out prayers all served as a stress reliever, ushering in the peace of Christ!

Sally

Disclaimer: I received this book as a contest giveaway in The Book Club Network, Inc.